The Past
We recently celebrated the holiday now commonly known as the Fourth of July. It is infrequently referred to anymore as Independence Day. When I was young, Independence Day was the holiday and the fourth of July was the date on which it was celebrated. Seems like a small distinction, I know. However, with the change in the name came a change in the status. Independence Day was always celebrated with parades, fireworks, and speeches about liberty. The Fourth of July is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and backyard barbeques. I remember as a child attending one parade in which a Civil War veteran rode in a car. I have no recollection of the man’s name so he could have been on the list of Civil War “imposters,” for all I know. But he was certainly old enough to have served. Albert Woolson and James Hard were the last two known individuals certified to have served in the Civil War. Mr. Woolson died in 1956, and Mr. Hard died in 1953. Mr. Hard once remarked that he had seen a parade in his boyhood in which one of the last Revolutionary War heroes participated. How awesome! Mr. Hard was alive when a Revolutionary War veteran was paraded. I was alive when a Civil War veteran was paraded. It almost feels as if one could reach back and touch the founding of this nation.
The Present
I fear that today, along with the change in the status of the holiday, has come a change in the status of the country. I honestly believe that half the people in this country have no clue as to why we celebrate July 4th. To them, it is just a day off work and time for beer and hot dogs. Dwight Eisenhower once said, “Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed—else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” Today I see how true that statement really is. The flower of American liberty and freedom was cut a long time ago and that flower is now in the process of decay. I am fortunate because I have lived a long life and have a lot of memories about what this country once was. The flower may have been cut when I was young, but it took a while to wilt and die. America, however, is no longer a free nation. I am so grateful to Jesus Christ that my citizenship is not of this world. “If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36). As this world tries to enslave us, we need to remember, “For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1). As Christ preached in the synagogue in Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives…” (Luke 4:18). Although the demise of this once great nation saddens me, I eagerly look forward to the time when Jesus Christ will rule and reign.
Recipe
Cinnamon Bundt Cake
1 white cake mix (not the kind with pudding in the mix)
1 small package of instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
½ cup of canola oil
1 cup of cold water
2/3 cup of sour cream
1 teas. vanilla
2 teas. banana extract (or butter extract, if you prefer. I don’t)
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and beat on high speed for five minutes. While these ingredients are blending, mix ½ cup of sugar with 4 teas. of cinnamon.
Pour half of the mixture into an oiled bundt pan and lightly sprinkle a little of the sugar/cinnamon over the cake. Add the remaining cake mixture and bake for 45-55 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cool for 10 minutes before turning out. Top with the remaining sugar/cinnamon mixture.
This recipe was given to me by the wife of my first principal (no, not my first grade principal but the first principal under whom I taught!). She was a wonderful friend and a great cook. I have enjoyed this cake many times over the years and judging by the number of times I have been asked for the recipe, so have others.